Molding machine for plastics and other moldable materials



w. s. RENIER Q I 2,460,468

MOLDING MACHINE FOR PLASTICS AND OTHER MOLDABLE MATERIALS Feb. 1, 1949.

Filed May 6, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

' I IQZZz'am 5, Eem'en BY Feb. 1, 1949. w; s. RENIER MOLDING MACHINE FOR PLASTICS AND 1 OTHER MOLDABLE MATERIALS Filed May 6, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. William 5 Penile)" Feb. 1, 1949. w, 5, REM 2,460,468

MOLDING MAC HIN F012 sncs AND OTHER MOLD BLE MATERIALS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 6, 1947 INVENTOR. WzlZz'am 5. Bemer Patented Feb. 1, 1949 UNITE-o stair-es PATENT. o-rrioe MOLDINGM AHINE FOR PLASTICS A'ND EOTHER TMODDABLE MATERIALS William..S..lRenier, Fond du.- Lac, Wis. assignor.;to

Gid'dinggs ;& ."Lewis Machine $0.0 .C mD'MZ YL Fond diFLac, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin i nlaim 1 ,The present ;invention relates "to *machines for molding or vdie [castin 1 plastics and. other moldable materials, and has particular reference to improvements ,in machines of .the ,type disclosed in ,my Patent 'No. 2,416,349, Assued .Eebruary 25 to ;provide a new andimproved toggle mechanism of the foregoing character which .is.sim p1e flnd efiicient in construction andoperation.

Another objectis toprovide dualtoggle mechanisms having. togglejjoints, operable by interactlng cam links, .pivotallly connected to the actuator, theipivotal connections being fixed relatively to each other during thedieclosing and opening movements. and; bein .shiftable relativelytoeach other in .a lost, motion movement during travel of the injection plunger incompleting each pressure stroke andinitiating each-return stroke.

'Furtlzier objects andadvantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, 7

Figure .1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a machine embodyingthei-eatures of :the presentinventionzand illustrating .the. position of the parts wheir'the die ,or mold is. fully open.

Fig.2 is a'fragmentary' vertical sectional view, on a larger scale,-ofthe;par.ts as showninFigJl, and illustrating the toggle mechanisms at the start of the forward pressure stroke.

*Fig. 3 isa view similar to'Ffig.2, but showing the posit-iono'i the parts whenthe die "has just been closed.

-;Fig.-4 is-a view similar to'Fig.fl2,'but showing the-poSitionof'the parts at-the .end of themessure injection stroke. a

Fig.5 is 'a horizontal sectional viewtaken along line55 of Fig.3.

"Figs. 6 :and -"'I*are:'transverse vertical sectional views taken respectively alonglines 6-.6 'and11 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is -afragmentary sectional'view taken along inlet- 80i Fig: 5.

' Referring more particularly to the drawings, the -machine,;constituting the exemplary embodiment of the "invention, :comprises an upright frame. Hlrconstructed of'ia suitable base! I, a verticallyzspaced head'tZ', andaplurality-of vertical tie-rods -l3l rigidly interconnecting the 'basean'd the head,=and constitutin guidemembersforstationary and movable die plates 14 and l 5. In the present instan .four..quadrilat al y.spaeedtt rcrds. 1-3. a e provided.

e s ationary diepl te Utis adiusta yemorted-by. and .clamped to a plurality. of locating nuts t6 .threaded. on ,the lower ,portions of "the tie rods. it. ,The. movabl die platejga is sectional, comprising a lower; half 1| 1 randan .upperhal'f ,l 1,8 norm ally. clamped .together by. releasable. lockin means I19, and is verticallyqslifiableon the. rods 13.

Secured in .anysuitalole manner in opposed relation..r 'spectiv lyl to :;the ad ent s rfaces of the ;;die.,plates i 4 and 1. care jtwo, separable ,.sections 25] =anld. 2.l .of a suitable moldqZZ. (.Afteztically d s poaedheating cylinder ,2 3 is support d .on .tll upper half i8. ofthelmovable .Ldieplate, I 5,..and ha an, injector nozzle "24 at the lower. end ,no lmally open ng to the upper ..1secii9nl .o .tham ldl when .ltheihalves l1 and 8 .of the la at 5 nice cla ped to ether. .It willhe undrStQ0. t 1 1oc nameans iernayehere eased, whenever-th occasion arises,r.,to. partthe halves I11 ar d l;8 so as ,to retrac thenozzlefit i.fromithe mo rlrsgectlo h a n cy inde '"23 as a axial .ipfe gd c amber .25 open .at it up er endJintQ w i h plastic mat ria an suit l fo ay aire 'tedb a u ly hut it and i ,pr0vid $1 with heating means ,2! "for generating the heat necessary xto plasticizethematerial in itsjdownward coursaof movement towardtthe nozzle 24.

"'F fepro de eans e c ne harges oipl-asticized material underh'eayy molding pressure from the. heating cylinder 23 throagh' the. nozzle 24 into the moldigxanninjection plunger"28 is supported from ;the h'ea,d t2 in alinement with and for movement-repeatedly intoythe feed; opening 2-5 in a succession-of' 'pressure strokes-roarecurring machine cycles. JWithinthe scope of the present invention, any --suitable powermeans may be utilized;for;reciprocatingthe -plnnger fll. "In the present in'stanceythe injectiqn plungerZfl-is rigidly secured'coaxially'to,the,lower end of a piston rod"'fifiiorming part of a reciproca'tory hydraulic actuator '30 mounted vertically ;on the top ofthe-head I 2. 7

The hydraulic actuator 'fifl isconnected. through two parallel acting toggle mechanisms 13! for reci rocating the-movable 'diepla e 15 toward an'dirom the stationary platefi to close ;and open the .dieor mold 22 in predetermined, timed relation "to. the reciprocation of theiinjection pl i erizt continued. travel "being impa tedto the un er tolcomn eea h" forward pressurestrolse pending arm 35 on the head l2, and a lower. link 33 therebetween pivotally connected at its fixed end by a pin 36 to the upper half 18 of the die plate 55. The contiguous movable ends of the links 32 and 33 overlap and are pivotally connected by a pin 3'? to constitute a toggle joint. Also pivotally connected to the pin or toggle joint 3'? is a force applying element, which in the present instance comprises two spaced parallel cam links 38. The ends of the links 32, 33 and 38,

4 toward and into closed position, as shown in Fig. 3. During this movement, the injection plunger 28 is a1so advanced but at a progressively increasing differential rate. Up until the parts have reached the position illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the links 38 are substantially horizontal and the sections and 2| of the die or mold 22 have been closed and clamped together by the toggle action, the journals 46 on the cam links 38 have been so positioned angularly that they have been rotatably confined for fixed pivotal movement within the bearing openin s 44. In other words, although the bearing slides 43 have been free to move transversely on the cross head 4-0, so as to insure equalization of the forces applied through the opposite sets of cam links 38,

'the pivotal connections 48 of these links with which are pivotally connected at the toggle joint,

are confined in assembled or sandwiched relation by means of nuts 39 on opposite ends of the pin 31.

The dual toggle mechanisms 3! are located in balanced relation respectively at opposite sides of the machine, and with the cam links 38 extending toward each other for operative connection to the actuator 38, and for coaction to exert in opposite directions of movement a straightening or buckling force at the joints 3?. In the preferred construction, a cross head or toggle head so is threaded medially onto the lower end of the piston rod 29, and the injection plunger 28 is threaded into the head. The cross head 40 is formed in opposite end portions with two elongated horizontal slots 4!, and in opposite sides with two longitudinal guideways 52 in which two flat bearin slides 43 are slidably disposed. Each of the slides 43 is formed in opposite end portionswith bearing openings 44 which are circular in form except for an eccentric recess 45 in the outer side portion. The cam links 38 of each set extend in overlapping relation with opposite sides of the cross head H3, and are pivotally connected respectively to the adjacent ends of the bearing slides 43. Each cam link 38 has rigidly attached to one side thereof at its inner end a partially circular journal or bearing 35 which is adapted for rotation in the associated opening 44, and which is cut away at one side along a chord, as indicated at M, so as to permit outward movement when in a predetermined angular position into the recess 35. The cam links 33 of each set are connected concentrically of the bearings 46 to opposite ends of a pin 48 extending through the associated slot 4| in the cross or link head 40. Suitable nuts 49 on opposite ends of the pin 48 serve to maintain the parts in assembled relation.

The opposed sets of cam links 38 are formed with cooperating cam-shaped ends 58 the upper portions of which are arcuate about the axes of the outermost pivot pins 31, and the lower portions of which have curvatures 5| arcuate about the innermost pins 48. In the downward movement of the cross head all, the links 38 act through the toggle mechanisms 3! initially to impart a closing movement and then a heavy clamping pressure to the die or mold 22, and thereafter to maintain the final pressure while the injection plunger 23 is finishing its injection stroke.

'In operation, the parts will be positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 when the dieis open. .As the piston rod descends, the toggle mechanisms 3! serve'to advance the movable die plate I5 the plates have been confined in fixed position relatively to each other with minimum center distances therebetween. Continued movement of the piston rod 28 in a downward direction beyond dead center of the links 38 will further turn the journals 46 in the holes 44 so that they will be free to move outwardly partially into the recesses 45 ina combined rolling and sliding action, thereby providing a lateral floating or lost motion connection. During such completion of the forward pressure stroke of the injection plunger 28, the pivotedlconnections 48 move outwardly or apart and the upper portions of the cam ends 50 roll on each other to maintain the die clamping pressure during the molding operation.

In the return stroke of the injection plunger 28, the movements of the various parts of the toggle mechanisms 3| are reversed. As soon as the cam links are moved into approximate horizontal alinement, as shown in Fig. 3, at which time, the die closing pressure is about to be relieved and the die is about to be opened, the journals 6%: on the inner ends of the links are moved out of the recesses 45, and again confined in rotary bearing engagement within the hearing openings a l, thereby maintaining the parts in established, pivotal relation to prevent sudden movement and shock as the toggle joints 3? are broken to separate the die sections 26 and 2!.

While I have illustrated the invention as incorporated in a vertical machine having a hydraulic actuator for operating the movable die plate l5 andv the injection plunger 28, it is to be understood that the invention may be applied equally well to machines of other types and employing other kinds of power actuators.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for molding plastics or other moldable material, a supporting frame, a first plate carried by said frame for supporting part of a die, a second plate movably carried by said frame for supporting the other part of the die, toggle joint mechanism connecting said movable die plate to said frame, a cylinder carried by said frame and having a fluid pressure operated piston therein and having a piston rod projecting therefrom, a heating cylinder carried by saidmovable die plate having a chamber for receiving-plastic material and having a nozzle portion for directing plastic material in plasticized condition into said die, an injection plunger connectedto said piston rod and movable into and out of said heating cylinder, and connecting means between said piston rod and toggle joint mechanism for causing opening and closing movements of said movableldie plate in .response to movement of said piston rod, said con arcades a "die closingpress 'W- re sa injection plunger finishes its forward strong and having as operative connection with said piston rod which is pivotally fixed said opening and closing movements of salty-mantle die plate and which is released for" lateral 'los'tmoti'on'move mentwhile said last mentioned is oper save. g a

2. In a machine foriholdingpla'stics o'r otlrer moldable material; a supporting frame, a first plate carried by said frame for supporting one part of a die, a second "plate movably carried by said frame for supporting the other part of said die, toggle joint mechanism connecting said movable die plate to the. frame means-operable on said toggle joint mechanism -for causing opening and. closing movements of the movable die plate, said last means including cam mechanism for'maintaining a dieclo'sing pressure, and including av connection witlrnsaid toggle joint mechanismwhich is pivotally fixed duringx'said opening and closing movements of said movable die plate and which is released for lateral floating lost motion when said cam mechanism is operative, a heating cylinder carried by said movable die plate and having a chamber for receiving plastic material and having a nozzle portion for directing plastic material in plasticized condition into said die, and an injection plunger operable by said toggle joint operatin means and movable into said heating cylinder while said cam mechanism is maintaining die closing pressure.

3. In a machine for molding plastics or other moldable material, a supporting frame, a first plate carried by said frame for supporting one part of a die, a second plate movably carried by said frame for supporting the other part of the die, spaced toggle joints each having one end pivotally connected to the frame and its other end pivotally connected to said movable die plate, a movable toggle head, a heating cylinder carried by said movable die plate and having a chamber for receiving plastic material and a nozzle portion for directing plastic material in plasticized condition into said die, an injection plunger movable with said toggle head, two connecting links at opposite sides of said head and having pivotal connections at their adja cent ends to opposite sides of said head and being pivoted at their remote ends respectively to the knees of said toggle joints, means for forcibly moving said toggle head to cause movement of said movable die plate toward and away from said first mentioned die plate, and means including cooperable cam shaped ends on said connecting links for maintaining a die closing pressure while said injection plunger finishes its forward stroke, said pivotal connections being relatively fixed during said opening and closing movements of said die plate and being released for lateral lost motion movement while said cam shaped ends are operatively maintaining said closing pressure.

4. In a machine for molding plastics or other moldable material, a supporting frame, a first plate carried by said frame for supporting one part of a die, a second plate movably carried by said frame for supporting the'other part of the die, spaced toggle joints one end pivotally connected to the frame and each having its other end pivotally connected to said movable die plate, a movable toggle head having an equalizing plate laterally slidable thereon, a heating cylinder carmedia said movable dieplate and having a chamber for receiving plastic material and 92 nozzle portion for directing plastic 'maiteriatini plasticized condition into: said dle; an injection: plunger movable with: said togglehead s two conmeeting-links at opposite sides. of saidhe'adand having pivotal connections at theirfadjacen'tiends toopposite ends otsaid slide and being pivoted; at 'their remote ends respectively tax the: knees of. said: toggle joints, means; forffor'oibly moving said toggle head and plate tocause "movement; of. said: movable die plate towardiand; away from said: first mentioned die plate, and: means in! cluding; cooperable cam shaped en'ds onsaid: con.- necting' links for maintaining a die closingtipres sure; while said injection plunger finishes, fora ward; stroke. said; pivotal connections: being; rela atively fixed: during, said opening and closing, movements of said die plate. and being released: for lateral separating movement. while; saidicanr shaped ends are operativelymaintaining said closing pressure.

5 In amachine for molding plastics-or other moldable material, a supporting frame, a first plate carried by said frame for supporting one part of a die, a second plate movably carried by said frame for supporting the other part of the die, spaced toggle joints one end pivotally connected to the frame and each having its other end pivotally connected to said movable die plate, a movable toggle head having an equalizing slide laterally slidable thereon, a heating cylinder carried by said movable die plate and having a chamber for receiving plastic material and a nozzle portion for directing plastic material in plasticized condition into said die, an injection plunger movable with said toggle head, two connecting links at opposite sides of said head and having pivotal connections at their adjacent ends to opposite ends of said slide and being pivoted at their remote ends respectively to the knees of said toggle joints, means for forcibly moving said toggle head and plate to cause movement of said movable die plate toward and away from said first mentioned die plate, and means including cooperable cam shaped ends on said connecting links for maintaining a die closing pressure while said injection plunger finishes its forward stroke.

6. In a machine for molding plastics and other moldable materials, in combination, a supporting frame, a first plate on said frame for supporting one part of a die, a second plate movably carried by said frame for supporting the other part of said die, a heating cylinder carried by said movable die plateand having a chamber for receiving plastic material and a nozzle portion for directing plastic materials in plasticlzed condition into said die when said die is closed, a reciprocatory hydraulic actuator mounted on said frame and having a piston rod axially alined with said heating cylinder, a cross head attached to the free end of said rod, a depending injection plunger attached to said cross head in axial alinement with said piston rod and movable into and out of said cylinder, an equalizer plate slidably confined for transverse movement on said cross head and formed in opposite end portions with a circular bearing opening having an eccentric recess in one side, two pivot pins extending through elongated guide slots in opposite end portions of said cross head, two circular journals mounted on said pins and in said bearing openings, each of said journals being cut away at one side along a chord so as to facilitate movement 7 out of bearing engagement with the associated opening into said recess, spaced toggle joints each having one end pivotally connected to said frame and the other end pivotally connected to said movable die member, connectingiinks attached at their adjacent ends rigidly to said bearings and at their outer ends respectively to said joints, and means including cooperable cam shaped ends on said connecting links for maintaining a die closing pressure while said injection plunger finishes its forward stroke.

7. In a machine for molding plastics and other inoldable materials, in combination, a supporting frame, a first plate on said frame, a second plate movably carried by said frame, a reciprocatory actuator mounted on said frame and having an actuating rod, a cross head attached to the free end of said rod, a circular bearing opening having an eccentric recess in one side, a pin extending through an elongated guide slot in said cross head for lateral movement, a circular journal mounted on said pin and in said bearing opening and being cut away at one side along a chord so as to facilitate movement thereof out of concentric bearing engagement with said opening into said recess over a predetermined range of angular movement, a toggle joint having one end pivotally connected to said frame and the other end pivotally connected to said movable plate, a connecting link attached at its adjacent end rigidly to said journal and at its outer end to said joint, and means including cooperable cam members for acting on said link to maintain said joint in fixed position over said range of angular movement. 7 I

' WILLIAM S. RENTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 945,550 Klocke Jan. 4, 1910 2,416,349 Renier Feb. 25, 1947 

